Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

In preparation for the FAA’s switch to ICAO flight plan filing on October 1, ForeFlight has released a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1XTI9qQyK4">video</a> and blog instructing users&nbsp;on how&nbsp;to file ICAO flight plans. The video and blog explains how to set up stored aircraft with ICAO equipment codes and how to file the flight plan.&nbsp;ForeFlight users have been able to file ICAO flight plans for many years.

 


Successful filing of an ICAO flight plan depends on setting up the aircraft properly in three flight-plan fields: ICAO equipment, ICAO surveillance and wake turbulence. For equipment, it is only necessary to select a code that covers the applicable equipment, such as G for GPS and S for VOR, VHF, ILS, then B for LPV approach capability. It is not necessary to list every equipment capability, nor will that affect the flight plan’s acceptance by ATC, according to ForeFlight.

 


For the ICAO surveillance field, it is only necessary to put C for transponder with altitude encoder at this point because, even if the aircraft is equipped for it, ADS-B OUT is not yet mandatory in the U.S. Finally, most light general aviation aircraft will fall under the 15,000-pound threshold for the L category of the wake turbulence field.

 


There are some other differences from the familiar FAA flight plan, such as the option of adding a second alternate airport and listing emergency equipment on board. ForeFlight recommends that pilots begin filing ICAO flight plans now to become adept with the new system before October.

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

ForeFlight Educates Users on ICAO Flight Plan Filing

Pilots can learn how to file ICAO-format flight plans to prepare for the October 1 switch from the FAA domestic flight plan filing system.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Annual flight volumes in the ECAC states will pass 11 million in 2025

Eurocontrol Forecasts Stronger Flight Growth in Europe

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Airservices Australia wants to work through plans to launch remotely piloted operations

Australia's ATC Agency Prepares to Integrate Autonomous eVTOL Aircraft

Stuart “Kipp” Lau

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Climb and descend via clearances still tripping up pilots

AINsight: Avoiding RNAV SIDs and STARs Gotchas

Kerry Lynch

Three-quarters of FAA's ATC systems are either unsustainable or potentially unsustainable

Watchdog: FAA ATC Systems 'Urgently' Need Modernization

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

More In ATC

Eurocontrol Forecasts Stronger Flight Growth in Europe

Annual flight volumes in the ECAC states will pass 11 million in 2025

Australia's ATC Agency Prepares to Integrate Autonomous eVTOL Aircraft

Airservices Australia wants to work through plans to launch remotely piloted operations

AINsight: Avoiding RNAV SIDs and STARs Gotchas

Climb and descend via clearances still tripping up pilots

Watchdog: FAA ATC Systems 'Urgently' Need Modernization

Three-quarters of FAA's ATC systems are either unsustainable or potentially unsustainable

FAA Hits Controller Hiring Mark for 2024

Agency hired 1,811 controllers and plans to spool up to 2,000 in fiscal year 2025

FCG OPS Adds Real-time Monitoring to Flight Services

Upgrades will be rolled out through the company's trip-support network

AOPA Objects to Possible Florida Airport Landing Fees

The automated fees could start appearing next month

New KTEB Departure Route Activated

WENTZ 1 route will replace the RUUDY 6 departure procedure

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN